Metal roof seaming machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for forming a standing seam on heavy gauge metal roof panels having upstanding opposite margins terminating upwardly with a preformed partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel. The machine includes a pair of rollers horizontally disposed axially, being rotatably attached to the forward end of the machine and arranged so as to straddle the interlocked portion of two adjacent panels for: (1) closing the interlocked portions; (2) foldably urging the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam; (3) clampingly securing the front of the machine to the panels. The machine also includes a plurality of vertically disposed pairs of rollers, each succeeding pair further folding the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so that the final pair finishes forming the standing seam. Additionally, certain of these rollers include flanges suitably arranged to engage the interlocked portions of the panels so that the rearward end of the machine is held firmly against the metal as it is being folded.

United States Patent Horn et a1.

[54] METAL ROOF SEAMING MACHINE [72] Inventors: Leo B. Horn, 4951 Scheibler Road, Memphis, Tenn. 38128; Charles W. Summers, 7087 Old Poplar Pike, Germantown, Tenn. 38138 [22] Filed: Nov. 16,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 89,982

[52] U.S.Cl ..l13/55 [51] lnt.Cl ...B2ld 39/02 [58] Field of Search ,.1 l3/54-56 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,160,336 5/1939 Maxfield ..113/55 2,171,297 8/1939 Zahner et a1 ....l13/55 2,774,320 12/1956 Boyd ....113/55 3,120,828 2/1964 Gr6nlund.... ....1 13/55 3,487,799 1/1970 Gronlund ....113/55 3,503,111 3/1970 Janecek ..113/54 51 May 16,1972

Primary ExaminerRichard J. Herbst Attorney.lohn R. Walker, 111

[5 7] ABSTRACT A machine for forming a standing seam on heavy gauge metal roof panels having upstanding opposite margins terminating upwardly with a prefonned partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel. The machine includes a pair of rollers horizontally disposed axially, being rotatably attached to the forward end of the machine and arranged so as to straddle the interlocked portion of two adjacent panels for: (1) closing the interlocked portions; (2) foldably urging the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam; (3) clampingly securing the front of the machine to the panels. The machine also includes a plurality of vertically disposed pairs of rollers, each succeeding pair further folding the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so that the final pair finishes forming the standing seam. Additionally, certain of these rollers include flanges suitably arranged to engage the interlocked portions of the panels so that the rearward end of the machine is held firmly against the metal as it is being folded.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures lllllllllllll PATENTEnmmwn 3.662.699

sum 1 BF 2 FIG.

INVENTOR. LEO B. HORN CHARLES m SUMMERS PATENTEDMHemz 3,662,699

SHEET 2 BF 2 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

INVENTORS. LEO B. HORN BY CHARLES m SUMMERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to metal roof seaming machines.

2. Description of the Prior Art The extent of the prior art known by the applicant consists of: the Maxfield, U.S. Pat. No. 2,160,336; the Zahner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,171,297; the Boyd, U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,320; and the Gronlund, U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,828.

I-Ieretofore, most standing seam roofing has been formed from 40 pound turn, which is relatively thin and pliant or when heavier gauge metal was specified, the contractor resorted to copper which is soft and pliant. The above patents are directed toward forming a standing seam on roofs constructed of such pliant material.

Architects presently specify that heavier gauge material will be used in constructing present day roofs, e. g. 0.032

thickness or gauge steel. This is relatively thick material for standing seam roofing, accordingly, the contractors have, by necessity, resorted to the method of hand-forming the standing seams. Actually, the preferred method is to prefabricate the metal panels in a factory or the like to the maximum extent possible, i. e., opposite margins of the panels being provided with upstanding flanges terminating upwardly with a preformed partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel. This prefabricating is accomplished in the factory with a very powerful well known manually operated brake machine or a power-driven brake machine. I-Ieretofore, the panels merely had the upstanding flanges adjacent opposite margins, and the standing seam was completely formed on location, i. 6., when the panels were installed on the building. The preformed partially closed interlocking portion of the panels is presently being closed manually, and the double standing seam is formed manually with the use of well known dollies and mallets, a time-consuming and most tedious task.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous metal roof seaming machines. The concept of the present invention is to provide a metal roof seaming machine which is compatible with the present day practice of partially prefabricating the standing seam at a factory site or the like, i. e., the metal roof panels having upstanding opposite margins terminating upwardly with a preformed partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel and formed from heavy gauge steel or the like, e. g., 0.032 or 20 gauge steel.

It should be understood that the machine of the present invention is not compatible nor intended to be used in forming a standing seam on the substantially obsolete panels, i. e., the panels having opposite margins turned up like those which the known prior art is directed.

The machine includes a pair of rollers horizontally disposed axially being rotatably attached to the forward end of the machine and arranged so as to straddle the interlocked portions of two adjacent panels for: 1) closing the interlocked portion; (2) foldably urging the interlocked portions of the panel downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam; (3) clampingly securing the front of the machine to the panels. The machine also includes a plurality of vertically disposed pairs of rollers, each succeeding pair further folding the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so that the final pair finishes forming the standing seam. Additionally, certain of these rollers includes flanges suitably arranged to engage the lower edge of the interlock portions of the panels so that the rearward end of the machine is held firmly against the metal as it is being folded. Further, the machine obviously includes a means for rotatably driving the plurality of vertically disposed pairs of rollers about their respective vertical axes whereby a standing seam is adapted to be formed thereby as the machine propels itself along the upstanding margins of two adjacent panels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the metal roof seaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken from the bottom of the machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of two adjacent metal roof panels showing the preformed partially closed interlocking portions thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line lV-IV of FIG. 1, showing the first operation or engaging relationship with the interlocking portions of the .panels of FIG. 3 after the structure depicted has acted thereon.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line V-V of FIG. 2, showing the second operation or the foldable displacement of the panels after the structure depicted has acted thereon.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VI-Vl of FIG. 1, showing the third operation or the displacement of the panels after the structure depicted has acted thereon.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIIVII of FIG. 1, showing the fourth and final operation for a completed picted has acted thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine 11 of the present invention is intended for use in forming a standing seam or joining adjacent metal roof panels 13, 15 (FIG. 3) having upstanding opposite margins, i. e., a margin 17 on the panel 13 and a margin 19 on the panel 15. The margins 17, 19 terminate upwardly with a preformed interlocking portion, i. e., the margin 19 having the upper portion 21 bent perpendicular thereto and the upper portion 23 of the margin 17 having a cross sectional U-shaped fold substantially as depicted in FIG. 3. Obviously, the panel 13 has an opposite preformed margin like that shown for the panel 15 and the panel 15 has an opposite preformed margin like that shown for the panel 13 so that the panels 13, 15 are identical one with the other and may be placed adjacent each other as depicted in FIG. 3 so as to form a continuous roof structure for a building or the like. It should be understood that the panels 13, 15 are preformed as above-described at a factory site or the like by the use of well known metal brake machines and are assembled at the building site in the usual manner prior to utilizing the machine 11, i. e., the panels 13, 15 are secured to building structure by the use of cleats (not shown), a mundane task to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that the machine 11 includes a prime mover, e. g., an electric motor 25 having the usual switching arrangements 27 and the usual power cord 29 terminating with the usual plug 31, a frame 33 supported by a plurality of wheels 35. The wheels 35 are rotatably attached to the frame 33 by axles 37 being fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner, e. g., welding or the like.

The motor 25 is fixedly attached to the frame 33 by a support bracket 39. The machine 11 may be carried by a handle 41 which is rigidly attached to the motor 25 in any well known manner, e. g., a pair of bands 43 clampingly securing the handle 41 to the motor 25. A portion of the bracket 39 (FIG. 1) is broken away to better illustrate the structure of the machine 11, the bracket 39 having characteristics mundane to those skilled in the art. The handle 41, if desired, may carry the switch 27 in a manner conventional for other well known power tools, e. g., sanders and the like.

The motor 25 has the usual output shaft 45 which receives the usual sprocket 47 which rotatably drives a second sprocket 49 through an endless chain 51. The sprocket 49 rotatably drives an elongated drive shaft 53, the drive shaft 53 being journaled adjacent the ends thereof by a pair of bearing assemblies 55 fixedly attached to the frame 33 in any well known manner, e. g., a plurality of cap screws 57 threadedly received in suitable apertures in the frame 33.

The shaft 53 has fixedly attached thereto three bevel gears 59, 59', 59", at a spaced apart distance and arranged substantially as illustrated in FIG. 1. It should be understood that the machine 11 travels in a direction indicated by an arrow character referenced by the numeral 61, i. e., the chain 51 being at the forward end of the machine 11, the propelling means yet to be fully disclosed.

The frame 33 generally comprises an upper platelike member 63, a substantially identical lower platelike member 65 and a plurality of vertical members 67 interposed between the members 63, 65 fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner, e. g., welding or the like.

Each of the members 63, 65 areprovided with a group of suitably aligned apertures 69, 69', 69" for respectively receiving a group ofrotatable shafts 71, 71', 71", i. e., the shafts 71, 71, 71" being free to rotate in bearing surfaces (not shown) within the apertures 69, 69, 69". The upper end of the shaft 71 carries a bevel gear 73 which engagingly meshes with the gear 59, i. e., the gear 73 being fixedly attached to the shaft 71 in any well known manner, e. g.,a staking pin received in suitable apertures. The upper end of the shaft 71' carries a bevel gear 73', i. e., the gear 73 being fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner. The upper end of the shaft 71" carries a bevel gear 73", i. e., the gear 73" being fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner. The gears 73, 73, 73" engagedly mesh with the respective gears 59, 59, 59" so that rotation of the shaft 53 causes the shafts 71, 71, 71" to rotate about their respective vertical axes.

The lower ends of the respective shafts 71, 71, 71" carry a group of rollers 75, 75', 75", i. e., the rollers 75, 75, 75" are fixedly attached to the respective shafts 71, 71', 71" in any well known manner, e. g., staking pins received in suitable apertures. I

The shafts 71, 71', 71" respectively carry intermediate thereof spur gears 77, 77', 77", i. e., the gears 77, 77, 77" being fixedly attached to the respective shafts 71, 71', 71 in any well known manner, e. g., staking pins received in suitable apertures, and being sandwiched between the upper and lower platelike members 63, 65.

From F 16$. 2 and 7 of the drawings, it may be seen that the respective platelike members 63, 65 are provided with rectangular shaped apertures 79, 79', i. e., the aperture-79 being sub-' stantially identical in size with the aperture 79'. The platelike member 63 is provided with a pair of threaded apertures 81 for threadedly receiving a pair of bolts 83, i. e., FIG. 1 of the drawings clearly shows the head portion of the bolts 83 and FIG. 7 of the drawings shows one of the apertures 81. In other words, the apertures 81, having horizontal axes, extend from the outer edge of the member 63 into'the aperture 79. The ends of the bolts 83, preferably being void of the usual thread, floatingly supports a platelike member 85, i. e., the member 85 having a length slightly less than the width of the aperture 79 is provided with a pair of apertures 87 for receiving the ends of the bolts 83, as best viewed in FIG. 7. A pair of adjustment nuts 89 are threadedly received by the bolts 83 intermediate the ends thereof, for reasons yet to be disclosed. A pair of compression springs 91 convolutely encircle the bolts 83 being interposed between the platelike member 85 and the adjustment nuts 87, i. e., one of the respective ends of the springs 91 are resting against the member 85 and the other respective ends of the springs 91 are resting against a pair of washers 93 adjacent the nuts 89.

The lower platelike member 65 is provided with identical compression springs 91, etc. In other words, the horizontally disposed member 85 is positioned in the same plane as the member 63 and is horizontally displaceable therefrom within the aperture 79 and the horizontally disposed platelike member 85' is positioned in the same plane as the member 65 and is horizontally displaceable therefrom within the aperture 79'.

The frame members 63, 65 are provided with a pair of apertures 95, 95 and the members 85, 85' are provided with an aperture 95". The apertures 95 rotatably receive a shaft 97, the apertures 95' rotatably receive a shaft 97', and the apertures 95 rotatably receive a shaft 97", i. e., the apertures 95, 95, 95" preferably are provided with bearing surfaces (not shown) so that the respective shafts 97, 97', 97" may be free to rotate about their vertical axes.

The upper ends of the respective shafts 97, 97', 97" carry a group of spur gears 99, 99, 99 which respectively engagedly mesh with the spur gears 77, 77', 77", i. e.,,the spur gears 99, 99', 99" being fixedly attached to the respective shafts 97, 97 97 in any well known manner, e. g., staking pins received in suitable apertures, and being sandwiched between the frame members 63, 65. In other words, as the shafts 71, 71, 71" are caused to rotate, the shafts 97, 97, 97" are rotatably driven in an opposite direction.

From FIG. 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the lower end of the shaft 97 carries a roller 101 which cooperates with the roller 75 in a manner yet to be described. The roller 101, being formed from case-hardened steel or the like has an angular groove about the circumference forming respective upper and lower flanges 103, 105, as best viewed in FIG. 5. Theflanges 103, 105 have a predetermined angle with relationship to the rotating plane of the roller 101, e. g., an angle of substantially 30, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

From FIG. 6 of the drawings, it may be seen that the lower end of the shaft 97' carries a roller 107, which cooperates with the roller 75' in a manner yet to be described. The roller 107, preferably formed from case-hardened steel or the like, has an annular groove about the circumference thereof so as to form respective upper and lower flanges 109, 111. The flanges 109, 111 have a predetermined angular relationship with the rotating plane of the roller 107, e. g., the flange 109 having substantially a 60 angle, and the flange 111 having substantially a 30 angle so that the angular relationship between the flanges 109, 111 is substantially 90, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

From FIG. 7 of the drawings, it may be seen that the lower end of the shaft 97" carries a roller 113 which cooperates with structure adjacent the aperture 79 as just described for the the roller 75" in a manner yet to be described. The roller 113, preferably formed from case-hardened steel or the like, has a smooth uninterrupted surface abut the circumference thereof. It should be pointed out that the' rollers 75, 75', 75" are likewise preferably formed from case-hardened steel or the like and are substantially identical to the just-described roller 113, i. e., the circumferences thereof having a smooth'continuous surface.

The machine 1 1 includes a pair of horizontally disposed rollers 115, 117, as best viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 and'4 of the drawings. The rollers 115, 117 are rotatably attached to the front end of the machine 11 by a support bracket 119.'The

support bracket 119 is fixedly attached to the front of the machine 11 by a plurality of cap screws 121, i. e., the cap screws 121 extending through suitably aligned apertures (not shown) in the support bracket 119 and being threadedly received by threaded apertures (not shown) in the frame members 63, 65. The support bracket 119, preferably formed from plate steel or the like, is provided with an aperture 123 for receiving a platelike member 125, i. e., the member 125 having a dimension slightly less than the aperture 123 is free to slide vertically within the aperture 123, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

A plurality of holding tabs 127 are fixedly attached to the support bracket 119 in any well known manner, e. g., welding or the like. The tabs 127 are arranged substantially as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that a portion thereof contiguously and unbindingly engages the member 125 so as to provide a tracklike channel for the member 125 to move vertically within. The support bracket 119 is provided with a threaded aperture 129 for threadedly receiving a set screw 131, i. e., the end of the set screw 131 contiguously engages the end of the platelike member 125 so that torquing the set screw 131 frictionally binds the platelike member 125 to the support bracket 119. Obviously, there are an infinite number of settings in which the member 125 may be positioned, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

From FIG. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that the bracket 119 is provided with an aperture 133 for receiving an axle 135 which rotatably supports the roller 115, i. e., a lock nut 137 being threadedly received by the axle 135. The platelike member 125 is provided with an aperture 139 for receiving an axle 141 which rotatably supports the lower roller 117, i. e., a lock nut 143 being threadedly received by the axle 141.

The rollers 115, 117, preferably formed from casehardened steel or the like, have a truncated conical shape, i. e., the roller 115 having a truncated end 145 and the roller 117 having a truncated end 147. The rollers 115, 117 are arranged with respect to each other so that the truncated end 145 is directed away from the bracket 119 and the truncated end 147 is directed inwardly toward the bracket 119 so that the space between the rollers 115, 117 is of equal distance along the length thereof and is directed downwardly for reasons yet to be disclosed.

In operation, the machine 11 is connected to a power source, i. e., the plug 31 is connected to a voltage compatible with the motor 25, e. g., 115 volts AC. The switch 27 preferably has three positions: an off position, a forward position, and a reverse position. Placing the switch 27 to the forward position causes the rollers 75, 75, 75 to be rotatably driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, and the rollers 101, 107, 113 to be rotatably driven in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, i. 6., through the previously described driving means. Obviously, placing the switch 27 in the reverse position causes the just-described direction of rotation to be in an opposite direction.

The machine'l 1 is brought into engagement with the panels 13, 15 by first engaging the rollers 115, 117 with the partially closed interlocking portions thereof or the upper portion 21 of the panel 15 and the upper portion 23 of the adjacent panel 13 (FIG. 3). The distance between the rollers 115, 117 is adjusted so that the space therebetween is substantially equal to three thicknesses of the sheet metal making up the panels 13, 15, e. g., gauge steel having a thickness of 0.032 inches. The space between the rollers would be a nominal 0.01 inches when the thickness of the panels is 0.032 inches. It should be understood that the adjustment between the rollers 115, 117 is made by loosening the set screw 131 so that the platelike member 125 supporting the lower roller 117 may be moved up and down to the desired positionafter which the set screw 131 is sufficiently torqued, preferably using a feeler gage between the rollers 115, 117. Additionally, it may be desirable to manually close the first few inches of the U-shaped upper portion 23 using a dolly and mallet, prior to initially engaging the rollers 115, 117. Once the rollers 115, 117 have been brought into a straddling engagement with the portions 21, 23, the rollers 115, 117 will automatically continue closing the U-shaped upper portion 23 of the panel 13 as the machine 11 is selfpropelled, in a manner yet to be disclosed.

The operator supporting the machine 11 by the handle 41 thereof guides the rollers 115, 117 into the just-described position with the upper portions 21, 23 of the adjacent panels 13, 15. The switch 27 is in the forward position, and the operator manually urges the machine 11 forward in the direction of the arrow 61. It should be obvious that at this instant the machine 11 will have a tendency to lean toward the left side since the upper portions 21, 23 are substantially parallel with the major portions of the panels 13, 15, and the space between the rollers 115, 117 has a downward cant thereto. Accordingly, the left forward wheel 35 will runningly engage the horizontal surface of the panel 13 while the machine 11 is in the process of becoming fully engaged with the panels 13, 15.

Almost immediately, the first set of vertically disposed rollers, i. e., the rollers 75, 101 (FIG. 5) engage the margins 17, 19. Prior to this time, the horizontal rollers 115, 117 were holding the forward end of the machine 11 adjacent the panels 13, 15 and were also starting to form the standing seam (FIG. 4). The roller 75 runningly engages or drivingly rides the back side of the margin 17, and the flange 103 of the roller 101 engages the upper surface of the portion 23.

It should be understood that prior to the remaining struc ture of the machine 11 becoming engaged with the panels 13, 15, the lower flange 105 of the roller 101 will obviate any tendency of the machine 11 to ride up off the portions 21, 23 of the panels l3, 15, i. e., the folded edge of the portion 23 engages the flange 105, thus aiding the rollers 115, 117 in holding the machine 11 firmly against the panels 13, 15. The next step in the sequence of events is the second pair of vertically disposed rollers, i. e., the rollers 75', 107, engage themselves with the panels 13, 15 (FIG. 6). The roller 75 drivingly rides the back side of the margin 17, and the flange 109 of the roller 107 engages the upper surface of the portion 23 so as to further foldably urge the interlocked portions 21, 23 downwardly. From this point on, the flange 111 of the roller 107 locks the rearward end of the machine 11 to the panels 13, 15, i. e., the folded edge of the portion 23 engages the flange 111, thus preventing the rearward part of the machine 11 from riding up off the upstanding margins 17, 19.

It should be understood that the folding action of the upper portions 21, 23 of the panels by the respective first and second pairs of rollers 75, 101; 75, 107 provides the necessary force between .the respective pairs to enable the rotatably driven rollers 75, 101, 75 107 to frictionally engage the appropriate surfaces of the panels 13, 15 to propel the machine 11 along.

Almost immediately following the above operation, a third pair of vertically disposed rollers, i. e., the rollers 75", 113, engage themselves with the panels 13, 15 so as to finish forming the standing seam (FIG. 7). The roller 75" drivingly rides the back side of the margin 17 and the roller 113 drivingly rides the outer surface of the folded portion 23 so as to tightly fold it into the double standing seam depicted in FlG. 7. The roller 113 is yieldably displaceable so that the space between the rollers 75 113 may automatically change with respect to the various thicknesses of the steel making up the various panels 13, 15 and as the machine encounters the usual cleats (not shown) which add additional thickness at random intervals along the standing seam.

The pressure exerted between the rollers 75", 113 is dependent upon the compression strength of the springs 91, 91. This pressure is adjustable by running the adjustment nuts 89, 89' towards or away from the shaft 97" which drives the roller 1 13.

After the machine 11 has become fully engaged with the panels 13, 15, the forward horizontal rollers 115, 117 perform the following operation: First, the U-shaped portion 23 is foldably closed about the portion 21, forming substantially a first seam or an interlock between the portions 21, 23. Secondly, the interlocked portions 21, 23 are folded downwardly from their original substantially parallel relationship with the panels 13, 15 to an angular relationship substantially equal to the downward cant of the space between the rollers 115, 117, e. g., an angle of 15, as best viewed in FIG. 4. Thirdly, the rollers 115, 117 lock the forward end of the machine 11 to the panels 13, 15, i. e., the roller 117 runningly riding the undersurface of the interlocked portions 21, 23 prevents the forward end of the machine from lifting or riding up off the margins 17, 19. Actually, the tendency of the machine to lift is made use of to fully engage the interlocked portions 21, 23 between the rollers 115, 117 (FIG. 4), i. e., the wheels 35 do not runningly ride the upper surfaces of the panels 13, 15, as might be presupposed.

The first pair of vertical rollers 75, 101, the second pair of vertically disposed rollers 75', 107, and the third pair of vertically disposed rollers 75", 113 all are rotatably driven and inlers 75, 75', 75" grippingly engage the outer surface of the margin 17 and the rollers I01, 107, 113 grippingly engage the interlocked portions 21, 23 while the machine 11 propels itself along.

The machine 11 cannot be disengaged from the panels 13,

15 after having been engaged without reversing the direction of rotation thereof. Accordingly, the switch 27 may be placed in the reverse position when it is desired to reverse the machine 11, e. g., the operator desires to change the adjustment of the space between the rollers 115, 117, etc.

The machine 11 may be operated byan unskilled individual after having received a minimum of instruction. One man using the machine 11 can conservatively accomplish in one day an amount of work that heretofore required 15 man-days to accomplish.

Although the machine has been illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for forming a standing seam on metal roof panels having upstanding opposite margins terminating upwardly with a preformed partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel said machine comprising a frame, a pair of rollers horizontally disposed axially juxtaposed one above the other and rotatably attached to the forward end of said frame so as to straddle the interlocked portions of two adjacent panels for closing the interlocked portions thereof and clampingly securing the front of the machine thereto, a first pair of vertically disposed rollers, one of said rollers of said first pair having a continuous uninterrupted circumference for runningly engaging the back side of the upstanding margins of said panels and the other of said rollers of said first pair of rollers being provided with an annular groove forming upper and lower confronting flanges thereon with said upper flange adapted to runningly engage the upper surface of and foldably urge said interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam, a second pair of vertically disposed .rollers, one of said rollers of said second pair having a continuous uninterrupted circumference for runningly engaging the back side of the upstanding margins of said panels, the other of said rollers of said second pair of rollers being provided with an annular groove forming upper and lower flanges thereon with said upper flange adapted to runningly engage and further fold the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly and said lower flange runningly engaging the end portion. of said interlocked portions for holding the rearward end of the machine firmly against the upstanding margins, at third pair of vertically disposed rollers having continuous uninterrupted circumferences for straddling the upstanding margins and to finish forming said standing seam, and means for rotatably driving said first, second and third pairs of rollers about their respective vertical axes whereby a standing seam is adapted to be formed thereby as said machine propels-itself along the upstanding margins of said adjacent panels.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which is included means for selectively adjusting the distance between said pair of horizontally disposed rollers whereby said horizontally disposed rollers are adapted to clampingly secure the front of the machine to different size panels of a variety of thicknesses.

3. The machine of claim 1 in which is included means for yieldably urging one of said rollers of said third pair of rollers toward the other of said rollers of said third pair of rollers whereby said third pair of rollers are adapted to finish forming said standing seam of different size panels of a variety of thicknesses.

4. The machine of claim 2 in which said horizontally disposed rollers have a truncated conical shape being arranged in respect to each other with said truncated portion of said upper roller being directed outwardly away from said machine and said truncated portion of said lower roller being directed inwardly thereto so that the space between said horizontally disposed rollers is of equal distance along the lengths thereof having a downwardly directed cant thereto for foldably urging said interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam.

* k i i 

1. A machine for forming a standing seam on metal roof panels having upstanding opposite margins terminating upwardly with a preformed partially closed interlocking portion being bent so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the panel , said machine comprising a frame, a pair of rollers horizontally disposed axially juxtaposed one above the other and rotatably attached to the forward end of said frame so as to straddle the interlocked portions of two adjacent panels for closing the interlocked portions thereof and clampingly securing the front of the machine thereto, a first pair of vertically disposed rollers, one of said rollers of said first pair having a continuous uninterrupted circumference for runningly engaging the back side of the upstanding margins of said panels and the other of said rollers of said first pair of rollers being provided with an annular groove forming upper and lower confronting flanges thereon with said upper flange adapted to runningly engage the upper surface of and foldably urge said interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam, a second pair of vertically disposed rollers, one of said rollers of said second pair having a continuous uninterrupted circumference for runningly engaging the back side of the upstanding margins of said panels, the other of said rollers of said second pair of rollers being provided with an annular groove forming upper and lower flanges thereon with said upper flange adapted to runningly engage and further fold the interlocked portions of the panels downwardly and said lower flange runningly engaging the end portion of said interlocked portions for holding the rearward end of the machine firmly against the upstanding margins, a third pair of vertically disposed rollers having continuous uninterrupted circumferences for straddling the upstanding margins and to finish forming said standing seam, and means for rotatably driving said first, second and third pairs of rollers about their respective vertical axes whereby a standing seam is adapted to be formed thereby as said machine propels itself along the upstanding margins of said adjacent panels.
 2. The machine of claim 1 in which is included means for selectively adjusting the distance between said pair of horizontally disposed rollers whereby said horizontally disposed rollers are adapted to clampingly secure the front of the machine to different size panels of a variety of thicknesses.
 3. The machine of claim 1 in which is included means for yieldably urging one of said rollers of said third pair of rollers toward the other of said rollers of said third pair of rollers whereby said third pair of rollers are adapted to finish forming said standing seam of different size panels of a variety of thicknesses.
 4. The machine of claim 2 in which said horizontally disposed rollers have a truncated conical shape being arranged in respect to each other with said truncated portion of saiD upper roller being directed outwardly away from said machine and said truncated portion of said lower roller being directed inwardly thereto so that the space between said horizontally disposed rollers is of equal distance along the lengths thereof having a downwardly directed cant thereto for foldably urging said interlocked portions of the panels downwardly so as to start forming the standing seam. 